Fire extinguisher



Sept. 22, 1931. w. c. BAUER 1,823,882

FIRE EXTINGUI SHER Filed March 5. 1929 Patented Sept. 22, 193i Y e 823 882 Unire arras oFeifcxiz WILLIAM CHARLES BAUER, or nwins'ron, ILLINOIS FIRE EXTINGUISHER Appii'eetien aiea Meren 5, i929. semaine. 344,537'.

My invention-relates to a lire extinguisher Equation below shows the completo re Wliichoperates With high e'iciency and with action between the urea, the nitrite and the extreme rapidity not only at normal temacid. Y o

Y pei'atures but also at lon7 temperatures. Assume HL'SOl and KN()2 to be used Myk object is to provide special chemicals for the generation 'of gas for expelling a CO (()K SO -2 suitable'tire-extinguishing fluid from a main 2 2 `2 `2 4 container and a further object is to provide lVlien hydrochloric acid is used the rean extinguisher of novel and of improved action is h" desiofn in order to utilize ro erl the reactionbof said chemicals so Ithat gays pressure CO(NH2 6+,2K-C1 3 'will be produced almost instantly With high 2 2 2 1 efficiency not only at normal temperatures When both HCl and HZSOi acidsare used but also at a temperature as low as -40O F. the reaction is 35 'For the lgeneration of gas in an extin- 2CO(NH2)2+4KNO2+2^HCL+H SO guisher it has been the practice to utilize ay i earbonate solution and an acid solution to 2G02 l 4N2+6H20+2KC1+K2SO4` liberate carbon dioxidegas. It is my pur- 1iwi@ a Carbonate is also added, the rem; pose togenerate not only carbon dioxide gas eetle'li ls Shown in Equation (5). M but also nitrogen gas both 'of Which are CO (NH2)2+2KNO2iK2CO2+2HZSO4= fion-inflammable. To generate 'these tivo 2CO2+2N2+4H20+2K2S04- (5) C,ases simultaneously I utilize an organic amide which can be completely broken down By increasing the proportion vof the rvcarby the actionY of Suitable agents, Typical bonate to the urea the amount of CO2 iii prot" ofsuch organic ainides is the chemical termportion to the iT lmay be varied at will.

ed carbamide, commonly called urea, which While I have shown in Equation (5) the has two amide (NH2) groups in its molecule, ySQC Of adding a Carbonate it iS'tObe under'-` Its ohemioal'formulo 'is CO(NH2)2 Tho stood that such an addition is notan abso' carbonv dioxide gas of the gaseous mixture lute eSSeDtal, for the urea together with "0 can be gotten solely from this compound but the nitrite, as shown in Equations (2) to 30 when it is desired to have a larger amount (4), Teach elohe With high ehCehCy- The in proportion to the nitrogen than that Obcarbonate is added only when it is desired to tainable 'from urea, a suitable carbonate may lle'eeSe the PIOPOTOD 0f *3116002 gilS- The be added to 'augment the organic compound. heet 0f the reaction 0f a nitrite, an acid y c' Urea may be broken down 01- delgonlposed LIlCl UI'QZL 1S SO gl'etl-t that 2L CELI`bOI12IQ,'Wl1lCl1 IS, in moro than one, Way but I prefer the ivould react sluggishly at low temperatures mthod Of treating it with nitrous acid it it .Were used alone, reacts With'enhanced (N 203) Which is liberated in the presence ot eClVly lOeCe-USe Of the elevatonof tempera the urea in any suitable manner, I prefer ture. Therefore the gas producing achemi-y to generate it by the action of any Suitable cal mixture canbe somewhat cheapened'by fw acid such as hydrochloric or sulphuric acid 115mg e Cheap ClbOIleeelOIlg With the urea orby the action of both acids on any suitable flhd the hltlte- Y metallic nit-rite, as for example, a vnitrite 'VVheh C02 delle 1S generated fTOHl e Cefof an alkali or an alkali earth metal. These bfmat? the Teactloh takes .Placehs'showh h1 n nitrites ai'e not the only ones available and Eqlmtlon y p 1 m' it `is not my intention to limit myself to K2CO2+H2SO4=CO2+H2`OPK2S04- (6) these. The chemical reaction is given in i y Equation (l Y Y The high etlioiency o f generating gas pres- I l Y sure Iin Yaccordance With my invention by 5) CO (NH2)2+N2O3=CO2+2N2+2H2Q (1) simultaneously generating both gases from 100 an amide as shown in Equation (2) can be seen by comparing Equation (2) with Equation (G). According to Equation (6) one molecule of sulphuric acid produces one molecule of carbon dioxide gas whereas according to Equation (2) one molecule of acid produces not only the same amount of carbon dioxide but also in addition thereto two molecules of nitrogen The gas producing eliiciency of the acid has therefore been very considerably increased. This is of especial importance when low temperatures are encountered. According to the un` derwriters requirements the ejected liquid must be thrown from 30 to l0 feet, therefore an almost instantaneous pressure is required. If the gas pressure is not immediately built up some of the liquid will be wasted because it will not be thrown the proper distance.

There is an added advantage in utilizing the reaction of Equation (2) because a very much larger amount of heat is evolved than according to Equation (6). Vhen the initial temperature is low this evolution of heat is of the highest importance because it rapidly accelerates the reaction and thus rapidly builds up the gas pressure. To utilize this generation of heat to the highest advantage, which is so essential at low temperatures, I confine the chemical reaction within a small gas producing chamber which communicates with the main containing vessel. I find that by this arrangement the gases are evolved vat a fairly high temperature and that by allowing these hot gases to bubble up through the extinguishing fluid the entire action of the extinguisher is enhanced at low temperatures. These features will be clearly set forth hereinafter.

I am aware that attempts have been made to utilize certain other amides having one amide (NH2) group to the molecule as for example acetamide which is disclosed in Patent No. 410,326, but such attempts have failed because such amides like acetamide and like cyanamide, which is also mentioned, react chemically in a different manner. Such amides are not completely decomposed by nitrous acid and they only produce nitrogen gas as is shown in Equation (7 QGILCONH2 2NaNO2 H2SO4 Acetic acid Such a reaction is exceedingly inellicient because all of the carbon of the acetamide remains uselessly locked up as a constituent of the organic acid which is produced, and the gas producing efficiency is therefore exceedingly low. To produce 56 parts by weight of N requires 118 parts of acetamide whereas to produce 56 parts of N from urea requires only 60 parts of the latter but in addition to producing the same amount of N, urea also produces 44k parts of CO2.

There are a number of ways in which these special chemicals may be utilized and it is not my intention to limit myself to any particular method. For example, (a) the nitrite and the urea may be mixed and used in a solid state either alone or with Athe addition of a carbonate together with a normally isolated acid solution; (o) the nitrite may be used alone or mixed with a carbonate in a solid state together with a normally isolated acid solution of urea. lVhen these bodies are used in the solid state I then prefer to use them in a special extinguisher described in my eopending application or they may be used as explained hereinafter.

While a nitrite yand the urea may be auvantageously used in the solid state as above described still there are cases when solutions of all theingredients are desired. Again, there are several ways to utilize these special chemicals in solutions, but it is not my intension to limit myself to any particular method. However, I will describe a preferred method and one which gives excellent results. For extinguishers which are to be used at normal temperatures it is simply necessary to dissolve the requisite quantity of a. suitable nitrite, rfor example sodium or potassium nitrite in the proper amount of water to form one solution and to use any suitable acid solution of urea'for the second solution or the nitrite and the urea may be dissolved in water to form one solution and the acid dissolved in water for the second solution. For temperatures as low as `10(J I". to 15 F. I prefer to dissolve the proper quantity of potassium or lithium nitrite in water for one solution and for the second solution I dissolve the urea in a suitable acid. Urea is very soluble in either HC1 or I-IZSO4 acid or in a mixture of the two acids. For a temperature of 250 F. I prefer a suitable concentrated solution of potassium nitrite, or lithium nitrite for one solution and for the second solution either a HC1 acid .solution of urea or a HCl-H280., acid solution of urea. For a temperature of -40O F. a fairly co centrated solution of potasslum nitrite is used to which is added approximately 40%'of concentrated ammonium hydroxide or a suitable quantity of potassium hydroxide. The acid urea solution to co-act with the latter nitrite solution and capable to withstand this low temperature is preferably made by dissolving therequisite quantity of urea in a mixture of. HCl and HZSO4 acid. While I do not wish to limit myself definitely to the proportions given below, because I findthat the proportion can be considerably varied, nevertheless I will cite the following solution as giving excellent results. A solution is made containing approximately two parts by volume of HClacid (Sp. Gr. 0.9)', one part by volume of HSO.L (Sp. Gr. 1. 84) ,and one fourth part .by volume of 'water and dissolving therein the suitable quantity of urea. Such a solution can readily withstand a temperature of -400 F. and I have been able to make solutions by varying the proportions so that they can withstand a temperature as low as 65.0 F. Without freezing.

As explained above, when an extinguisher must operate almost instantly at a temperature as low as *40 F. it is highly essential to utilize to the highest degree the heat of theychemical reaction to heat up the mass of the reacting chemicals. To realize the advantage of the large amount of heat evolved by the reactions shown in Equations 1)' to (5), it is necessary to confine the chemical reaction and the reacting substances in comparatively small space. My invention therefore further provides proper mechanical devices to enable the reactions to proceed` at such low temperatures.

The drawings illustrate my extinguisher embodying my present invention. Fig. 1 is a vertical section of approximately the upper half of an extinguisher and Fig. 1a is a top view of the opening of the main vessel. Fig. 2 is a view on the line apt. Fig. 3 is a vertical detail section of a portion of the interior chamber and Fig. 3a is a top view of Fig. 3.

In the preferred form of extinguisher, l is a main containing vessel supplied with a suitable nozzle 2 and holding' a suitable lireextinguishing fluid 3 as for example a solu- :ion of calcium chloride, carbon tetra-chloride or the like. Supported in any suitable manner as for example by the shoulder 4 in the opening of t-he main vessel is a 'vertical tube The tube or chamber 5 is sealed at the top and open the bottom through suitable openings 6 and it is provided with a handle 5a to facilitate its removal from thr` main container `1. .Surrounding the tube hisV a slightly larger tube 7 closed bythe bottom 8 and open at the top, and forming the annular space 9 between them. rTube 7 is secured to tube 5 in any suitable manner by pins 10 but readily removable therefrom by twisting it. ,'l`ube 7 is long enough to extend above the normal liquid level `of the solution 3; lVithin the tube or chamber 5 is a suitable double container 11 having two compart-4 ments holding two solutions 11a and 11?). This is held in place by resting in the depression of the bottom 8 ofptube 7 and when inverted, by the projecting pin 12 secured to tube Container 11 is shown closed by a loosely fitting cork 13. The chemicals above described are properly isolated from each )ther by placing the acid solution in one com-v partment 1.1?) and the other ingredients in the second compartment 11a. Both compartments llaand 11'?) may contain the ingredients in the form of solutions, as shown in Fig. l, or if some of the ingredients are used in a solid state then one of the compartments holds the solid material 14 shown in Fig. -3 in a loose granular state` or `it holds a per` forated metal container 15 suchas is described in by co-pending application holding the solid ingredient .14. This metal contaner l5 is smaller in size than. the compartmentillaso that it can readily drop out into space- (c) of container 5 when the extinguisher is( inverted. As described in my cos pending application,v when a solid isv used, it is desirablev to divide the solid granular vmaterial into .several portions by permeable spacers 16. These together With the` spaces between the Vgranules aid inthe intermingling of the acid solution to produce rapid chemical action. When the extinguisher is invertedthe contents of both compartments drop into the space '(0) whereinthe confined chemicals then react with extreme rapidity beca-use the heat of the initial reaction heats up the mass of the reactingchemicals. The hot CO2 andN gases pass from the .tube 5 through the openings 6 into theannular space 9 between the tubes 5 and 7 andemerge fromA the open end of 7 to bubble up through the cold liquid 3 thus partially. elevating the temperature of the latter making it more mobile.

I have described herein certain preferred methods and embodiments for utilizing my improved ygas producing chemicals and-I have shown suitable mechanical means to properly utilize their action efliciently, however I wish it distinctly v,understood that my invention is not limited. to such exact and precise embodiments but contemplates all such variants and modifications which Would by clearly equivalents.

Having thusl described. my 'invention,.what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. In a fire extinguisher, a maincOntain-v el ing vessel holding a suitable tire-extinguishing liquid capable of withstanding a temperature of 409v F. without freezing,` and gas producing chemicals .for ejecting said liquid including' a suitabley metallic nitrite, urea, vand a suitable acid, the ,said chemicals being in suitable physical states so as to re-` act properly with each other at a temperature as low as 40 F. vbut which are normally properly isolated to prevent action until the said extinguisher is' to operate when by suitable means they are allowed to react to produce gas pressure to accomplish said ejection. Y

2. In a tire extinguisher, a main' containing vessel holding a suitable fire-extinguishing liquid capable of `withstanding a temperature ofi-400' F. without'freezing, and .gas Y producing chemicals for ejecti-ng said' liquid including a Suitable metallic nitriteyacai CII bonate, urea anda suitable acid, the said chemicals being in suitable physical states so as to react properly with each other at a temperature low as -400 FQ but which are normally properly isolated to prevent action until the said extinguisher is to operate when by suitable means they are allowed to react to produce gas pressure to accomplish said ejection.

In a lire extinguisher, a main containing vessel supplied with a suitable nozzle and holding a suitable {ire-extinguishing liquid which can withstand a temperature of *400 F. without freezing, within said vessel a smallerchamber consisting of two vertical tubes, an inner tube closed at thetog and open near the bottom and an outer tube of larger diameter surrounding said inner tube forming an annular space between them, said outer tube closed at the bottom and open at the top and extending above the liquid level in the said main Vessel, within said inner tube gas procucing chemicals including in suitable combination the orvganic chemical called urea, a suitable metallic nitrite and a suitableacid solution which can withstand a temperature of' -400 F. without freezing.

4. In a lire extinguisher, a main containing lVessel supplied with a suitable nozzle and holding a fire-extinguishing liquid which can withstand a temperature of -400 F. without freezing, an inner connecting auxiliary gas producing chamber in which are confined the gas producing. chemicals and the chemical action thereof, the said chemicals including aY suitable metallic nitrite, urea, and a suitable acid, and the said chemicals being in a suitable physical vstate so as to react properly with each other not only at normal temperatures but also at a temperature as low as -400 F.

5. In a fire extinguisher, in combination with a main containing Vessel holding a suitable fire-extinguishing liquid, an auxiliary connecting chamber holding gas producing chemicals including an organic amide termed urea, a suitable metallic nitrite and a suitable acid, said chemicals being properly isolated to prevent action until the extinguisher is to be placed in operation when by suitable means said chemicals are brought together to generate both carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas to eject said extinguishing liquid from said main vessel.

6.. In a fire extinguisher, in combination, an extinguishing liquid which will remain liquid at #40 F. and gas producing chemicals to'expel said liquid from a main container, said chemicals including a normally isolated mixture of a metallic nitrite and a carbonate and a solution of urea in a mixture of HCl and'I-IQSO4 acids which can withstand a temperature of 40 F. without freezing.

7. In a fire extinguisher for the purpose of producing non-inflammable gases, in suitable combination, a nitrite of a metal, a carbonate of a metal, an organic amide termed urea having 2 amide (NH2) groups to the molecule and a suitable acid.

8. In a lire extinguisher for the purpose of producing both carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas simultaneously, in combination, a suitable acid and a suitable nitrate which when brought together by their interaction will produce nitrous acid (N203), and an organic amide which by the action of said nitrous acid is broken down completely producing both CO2 and N gas.

9. In a fire extinguisher for the purpose of producing both carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas simultaneously, in suitable combinations, chemicals which are normally isolated but which when brought together produce nitrous acid (N203) and an organic chemical which is acted upon by said nitrous acid to produce bot-h carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas.

l0. In a fire extinguisher, in combination, a main containing Vessel holding a fire-extinguishing Huid, an auxiliary chamber communicating with said main vessel and containing in suitable containers gas producing chemicals, properly isolated from each other and including a solution of a metallic nitrite and a suitable acid solution of urea.

ll.. In a fire extinguisher, for the purpose of producing simultaneously carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas, the organic body called urea containing more than one amide group (NH2) in its molecule and chemical means for decomposing it to produce said gases.

l2. In a fire extinguisher, for the purpose of producing simultaneously both carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas, a chemical composition including the organic body called urea and a chemical to react therewith to decompose it to produce said gases.

13. In a fire extinguisher, a main containing vessel supplied with a suitable discharge nozzle and holding a fire-extinguishing liquid capable of remaining liquid at 40 F., a communicating smaller gas producing chamber containing chemicals, to produce carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas, said chemicals including urea dissolved in a mixture of HCl and II2SO4 acid and isolatedY therefrom a solution containing an alkali nitrite, both of said" solutions being capable of remaining liquid at -40 F.

14. In a lire extinguisher for the purpose of producing gas, gas producing chemicals including in suitable solutions, and properly isolated so as to prevent action until said extinguisher is to operate, the chemicals urea, an alkali nitrite and a suitable acid.

l5. In a fire extinguisher for the purpose of producing non-inllammable gas, two solutions properly isolated from each other until said extinguisher is to operate, the said solutions being capable of remaining liquid at a temperature of -4100 F., one of said solutions including urea, hydrochloric and sulphuric acids and Waterv and the other or" said solutions including an alkali nitrite, ammonia and Water.

16. In a lire extinguisher for the purpose of producing non-inflammable gas consisting of carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas, tWo solutions properly isolated from each other, one containing urea dissolved in an acid and the other a suitable nitrite dissolved in Water.

17. In a lire extinguisher for the purpose of producing both carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas from the organic body urea, in suitable combination but isolated from each other a solution containing urea and an acid capable of remaining liquid at 40 F. and a second solution also capable of remaining liquid at -400 F. and containing a metallic nitrite. y

18. In a fire extinguisher for the purpose of producing both carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas chemicals including, an acid solution of urea capable of remaining liquid at -40 F. and a normally isolated alkali solution of an alkali nitrite which can remain liquid at *400 F.

19. In a lire extinguisher for the purpose of producing both carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas chemicals including urea, a nitrite and an acid, said chemicals being in solutions capable of withstanding a temperature of 40 F. Without freezing, and one of said solutions which contains the said acid being normally isolated from the solution which contains the said nitrite.

20. In a fire extinguisher for the purpose of producing both carbon dioxide and nitrogen, in combination, a suitable nitrite in a suitable physical state and normally isolated therefrom an acid solution of urea comprising sulphuric acid.

21. In a fire extinguisher for the purpose of producing both carbon dioxide and nitrogen, in combination, a suitable nitrite in a suitable physical state and normally isolated therefrom an acid solution of urea comprising hydrochloric acid.

22. In a tire extinguisher for the purpose of generating carbon dioxide and nitrogen from urea, the said urea being dissolved in a mixture of HCl and HZSO., acids of proper density, and all of the said ingredients being in such proportions as to form a solution which can remain liquid at 40 F.

28. In a lire extinguisher for the purpose of producing gas, in suitable combination, the organic chemical called urea having the chemical formula CO (NIIQ, an acid, and an alkali solution of an alkali nitrite.

24. In a fire extinguisher for the purpose solutions are brought to ether b anv suitable means.

WILLIAM CHARLES BAUER.

Certicate of Correction Patent No. 1,823,882. Granted September 22, 1931, to VILLIAM CHARLES BAUER It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the abovenunibered patent requiringl correction as follows: Page 1, line 65, equation 4, for HCL 7 read 110i; lines 70 and 71 strike out equation 5, and insert instead UO (ZVZ)2-t2NO2+f2003-1-2H2S0422002 -PQNg-t-LZO +2ZSO4; line 97, equation 6, for K2CO2 read 175003,' page 2, line 54, strike out the Word Acetalnide and insert the saine under 2CH3C0NH2 and line 56, strike out the Words Aceti@ acid and insert the saine under 2CH3COOH same page, line 89, for the misspelled Word ntenson read intention; page 3, line 72, for by 7 read im page L1, line 75, Claim 8, for nitrate read nitrite; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ohce.

Signed and sealed this 10th day of November, A. D. 1931.

[SEAL] M. J. MOORE,

Acting 'ommissioner of Patents.

l Certicate of Correction Patent No. 1,823,882. Granted September 22, 1931, to VILLIAM CHARLES BAUER It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the abovenunibered patent requiring` correction as follows: Page 1, line 65, equation 4L, for HCL read HUI; lines 7 0 and 71 strike out equation 5, and insert instead line 97, equation 6, for KZC()2 read K2O03; page 2, line 54, strike out the Word Acetainide and insert the salne under 2CH3CONH2 and line 56, strike out the Words Aceti@ aoid and insert the saine under 2CH3COOH `saine page, line 89, for the misspelled Word intension read intention; page 3, line 72, for by read my; page l, line 75, claim S, Jfor nitrate read nitrite; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these Corrections therein that the saine may contorni to the record of the casein the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 10th day of November, A. D. 1931.

[SEAL] M. J. MOORE,

Acting C ommtsuatonw1 of Patents. 

